CHAPTER 34: PIKE MARKET

 The horses are much bigger than a normal horse and Rachael is both amazed and afraid by their sizes. Asterix is white with a bushy tail and Obelix is brown colored.

Samuel holds her hand and gently places it on the body of the white horse so she can feel the mystical creature. Her heart races with joy. This may be the most beautiful thing she has experienced since she became exposed to the world of the supernatural.

She was starting to think everything was about blood and death but this creature here says otherwise. It's body is sturdy and graceful and its eyes seem to look into the soul of the human.

Rachael stumbles but Samuel holds her still, "You need to rest," he says.

"Since the two of you are here I'm pretty sure there is no need for me to show you how to ride. You've got that whole mind control thing going for you.

Just send them back when you are done," Obadiah says.

"Thank you," Amanda says.

Samuel shakes his hand, "Thank you. Take care of Arya," "Oh, I will. Goodluck on whatever journey you guys are embarking on," he says and walks away.

"Come on, let's get you on top," Samuel says to Rachael.

She is so excited she almost forgets to breathe and her palms get sweaty, "Don't worry, you will be fine," he says just above her ears as he holds her waist.

He lifts her up and she struggles a little to climb the white horse but she gets it. Samuel lifts himself off the ground and lands on the back of the horse with a little pressure making the creature to neigh with some disapproval.

"Shush, I'm sorry," he says and rubs the side of its belly.

Rachael feels his soft breath against her neck as she packs her hair to the side. The tiny hairs on her skin stand at attention as she tries to get used to rhythm of his breath.

Amanda and Elma mount Obelix, "Where to now?" Amanda asks, "Gallowway hills. We start our journey tomorrow but first, we have to rest" he says though they both know he means "Rachael has to rest".

"Gallowway? Are you sure?" Amanda questions before taking a quick glance at Rachael.

"Yes, Gallowway," he answers.

"I hope they got food at Gallowway hills and I mean vampire food," Elma says, "Rachael could make for a good meal," Amanda jokes and Elma laughs.

"That would be nice but I don't want her bodyguard over here to kill me," Elma says.

Rachael hears his growl above her ears and puts a hand on his lap, "Wait, wait" Obadiah comes running and shouting with a bag in his hand, "For the love of god don't go leaving such things in my ranch," he says as he reaches them.

"Give it them. There is somewhere I have to go before I reach Gallowway," Samuel says and Obadiah hands the bag to Elma, "Going to get a room?" she says and Amanda joins her to laugh before Obelix takes to the skies.

"I forgot how much those two suck when they are together," Samuel says, "Well, it's just us on this horse now," Rachael says.

Samuel's heart lightens up and he draws closer to her.

She may not mean it the way I heard it but that was nice.

"Asterix boy, let's go" he taps the pegasus and it begins to run forward while flapping its humongous wings.

Rachael screams with excitement as the creature takes off and away into the skies.

 The wind beats against her face and caresses her hair. The air is hot but the flight through the air brings a quick change. The wind almost blows her hair backwards into Samuel's face but she holds it in one hand while she uses her second her hand to steady herself on the horse for fear of falling from such a height.

Samuel puts a hand around her waist, "I've got you," he holds her steady while she ties her hair.

She feels safe under his grip.

She looks down at the tiny evidence of life as they go higher. Normally she would feel fear but instead she feels joy swell up in her chest. She has never felt anything like this before. It feels like a merry-go-round without actually going round or the dizziness that follows.

An urge fills her and she spreads her hands out and smiles broadly letting the sun bathe her in its glorious light. She closes her eyes and feels the warmth and cool breeze while Samuel holds her.

He feels like a chaperone with a little school girl going on their first school trip.

He can't help but smile at how lively she has become.

He almost forgets about the troubles that lie ahead. He does not want anything to happen to her. It has been ages since he felt fear for someone, especially a human.

Now he finds himself falling deeper into the cave of his once shielded heart, falling into the gentle colors of feelings he has yet to name. The soft winds blows away his fears even though it brings no assurances and in the moment he begins to laugh with her as they fly through the clouds.

Rachael stretches her hand to catch the clouds and it passes through. The feeling is brief but sends a sweet sensation of wetness through her fingers.

She can't see Elma or Amanda anywhere in the sky but she doesn't fear for them. Right now she just wants to enjoy this moment. She can see colorful trees below, looking like small mushrooms from these heights.

They pass over a little stream or lake, she can't tell from how high she is. This strange world begins to look like a beautiful map drawn by a renowned artist. Like a painting in a gallery except she is seeing it from above.

The pegasus begins to lower itself after a few more minutes in the upper regions of the sky.

It's wings spread out wide, giving it a slow glide in the air as an array of colorful clothed ceiling come into view. She sees movement from the people and she feels amazed by their ant-like size. They gradually grow as they come lower to the level of the ceilings.

The pegasus lands gently on its hooves and walks through what looks like a market.

There are sheds and shops on different sides of the street. Many have carriages of fruits and meat, bread and grains and all kinds of things; some familiar and others strange.

Some of these strange creatures stare at them as they look down from their mighty stead and Rachael can swear she sees some strange glares thrown her way.

Samuel notices a few dark cloaks at almost every block of the market, each wearing the same cologne of death.

Rachael's eyes dazzle with awe as she sees different creatures walking the market streets. Some dress to hide their faces while others walk openly.

Even in this realm, segregation must exist. A trait, unfortunately, that is not a stranger to any race.

There are mostly humanoid creatures with variations that display their differences.

"Watch where yer going big fellow. Don't go stomping on us little folk," a grunty voice screams at them as a bunch of dwarves struggle to give way for Asterix, the pegasus.

"Are those dwarves? Like in the movies?" she asked with a high pitch voice and joy filled eyes, "There are dwarves in the normal world too. Don't make them look special," Samuel says plainly.

"What are you saying? These are magic ones," she tries to steal a glance as they walk away.

"Don't stare," Samuel says as the pegasus stops at a shed. There are a few men standing at the shed. They are thin and Rachael notices they have two pair of ocean blue eyes, one above the other.

Samuel climbs down the horse and helps Rachael down as well.

"We will be right back Asterix, watch him" he says before handing the pegasus over to one of the creatures at the shed.

"Come," he holds her hand and they walk in the streets of this strange market.

Rachael can see a hill at a far distance down the street and a man riding on a chariot of two big creatures that look like goats or reindeer. She isn't sure what they are.

There are some tall building at each sides of the market but the tallest one stands out as it towers over the rest with at least 50feet of distance and a giant clock at the top.

Rachael sees something that looks like a giant beetle on top of a building and does not know if it is a statue or some kind of creature as the strangeness of this place only increases.

"What is this place?" Rachael asks as her eyes take in every bit of the street she can see.

"Pike market," he says plainly with little interest in his voice.

Samuel enters a street on the left and after a few minutes of walking straight they enter a smaller and darker street on the right. It is narrow and there are a few doors on each sides.

Samuel opens one of the doors and enters a dark room. The shop is almost empty but a few things still remain on the shelves in the shop. The creature behind the counter is of blue skin and yellow eyes and furry neck. It wears glasses and has bushy blue brows that point outwards of its head.

"Samuel Stone. Can't be Gabriel, he never wears a suit" the creature says.

"Dalot, I see you still prefer the dark corners of the market," Samuel says, "Well, I've been trying to get a spot at the dark hills down market but you know how difficult and expensive it is," he says.

"And dangerous," Samuel adds, "Well, I'm a creature of the dark so I'm not scared of a little danger," "How have you been, Dalot?" "Quite good Sir. Although I could be better if not for the creeping vampires that have been coming around of late. They be wearing hoods like they can stay hidden from fellow dark creatures like myself," Dalot says.

His yellow eyes move to the woman beside Samuel, "I see you have a human with you," he says. "That is new. I have never seen you bring a human down these parts," he says.

"Yes, I haven't until today," Samuel says, "This one must be special, let me see what I have for you," he says and walks from behind the counter to the shelves. Searching through the dusty wood for something.

"How's that prickly twin of yours?" "He is, resting" "Not in peace, I suppose" "Definitely not," Samuel answers, feeling some weakness in his knees.

"Since the vampires strange behavior in the market today there has been a rumor that they are looking for a human girl. I hear she is probably with some old vampire and your appearance now don't seem too much like a coincidence," Dalot says as he makes a cheerful exclamation after his finding.

"Here, I don't know what the name is. Haven't had to sell this in a long time," he hands a small plastic container to Rachael and she stares at him with confusion.

"What is this?" she asks, "Like I said, I don't know the name but it's a powder that renders off every smell and aura of a human. It makes others perceive you as a non-human," he says.

His eyes glint at her gaze.

"I also need a recovery tunic for her," Samuel says as he begins to fetch some coins from his pocket.

"I do have the recovery tunic," he says and goes behind the counter. He pulls open his drawer and removes a little vial with a red liquid in it.

"Well protected with unbreakable glass," he says before handing it over to Rachael.

"You may want to rub the powder now because I am pretty sure many would have already noticed that a human has entered the market," Dalot says as his pointy ears wiggle.

"Outside may not be safe as it is," he says.

 Samuel pays him with six gold coins and the creature pushes two gold coins back his way, "That's your change my friend," "Keep it," "You rich folk are a tardy too generous for my taste or condescending depending on the customer that pays" he says and takes the coins.

"I presume the tunic is top grade," Samuel says, "Of course, for a customer like you only the best," Dalot says.

Rachael pours a bit of the powder in her hand and rubs her hands together before rubbing her face and neck. The powder is fine and has a strange scent of wood and blueberry.

A strange smell for a powder.

Samuel and Dalot suddenly take a deep sniff into the air, "That's better," Dalot says, "The effects are long lasting so, you are good" he says.

"Thank you Dalot, see you another time" "Be careful and safe travels Mr. Stone," he says as the two people exit his shop.

"I heard what he said back there. Is someone after us? Maybe Alucard?" Rachael asks, "I don't know, stay close to me," Samuel says. He looks up and sees that the sun is almost close to the end of its daily journey.

He can see two men at the entrance of the street where he came from and behind him is another in a cloak with red eyes that glow in the dark.

Vampires.